Desserts is just stressed spelled backwards. Believe me, I know. I am the QUEEN of emotional eaters and bakers, as it turns out, which packs a double whammy. When I am upset or feeling a lack of confidence I immediately think "what can I make"? We all have our own ways of dealing with the inevitable reality of stress in our lives. But what happens when the "stress relievers" become "stress generators" I have found myself feeling pressure (completely self- initiated) surrounding my baking. I constantly volunteer to bake for a myriad of events and occasions. I heap an enormous amount of pressure on myself to present the "perfect creation". I have generated that expectation others have not. It is still a work in progress, but I am learning to recognize this tendency in myself, and modifying my behavior. I am lucky enough to have a barn with some magical little men (ponies) living inside. There have been many times I have stormed out of the house with either smoke coming out of my ears or tears rolling down my face and entered what has become my sanctuary. Within a matter of minutes, my sense of calm is restored. I am so very lucky to have those three little faces hanging out of stalls!
What happens when your stress reliever is your horse, but it has become one of the greatest weights on your shoulders? For the majority of us, who are not equine professionals, our involvement with horses is a choice (I use that word cautiously). We can choose to make it be whatever we want it to be- financial concerns not- withstanding. Many of us feel that we have to ride X number of times a week or our horse will---- what? Revert back to being an unbroken 2 yr. old? Unlikely. I understand that consistency is important but at what cost? Are your expectations for yourself and your animal too rigid? Are you trying to "present the perfect creation"? When our animals become another thing on the to do list - who is benefitting? Give yourself a break and, maybe, discover that just spending time with your horse, without an agenda, can bring calm to the chaos. You may find that you accomplish much more in 3X a week of focused work than in 5-6X a week of harried attendance. You have the power to restore it to the simple pleasure that it once was. Our horses are one of the few things in this world that have absolutely no expectations of us- take advantage of that and just ENJOY!
Have a Smart Day!!
Mary
What happens when your stress reliever is your horse, but it has become one of the greatest weights on your shoulders? For the majority of us, who are not equine professionals, our involvement with horses is a choice (I use that word cautiously). We can choose to make it be whatever we want it to be- financial concerns not- withstanding. Many of us feel that we have to ride X number of times a week or our horse will---- what? Revert back to being an unbroken 2 yr. old? Unlikely. I understand that consistency is important but at what cost? Are your expectations for yourself and your animal too rigid? Are you trying to "present the perfect creation"? When our animals become another thing on the to do list - who is benefitting? Give yourself a break and, maybe, discover that just spending time with your horse, without an agenda, can bring calm to the chaos. You may find that you accomplish much more in 3X a week of focused work than in 5-6X a week of harried attendance. You have the power to restore it to the simple pleasure that it once was. Our horses are one of the few things in this world that have absolutely no expectations of us- take advantage of that and just ENJOY!
Have a Smart Day!!
Mary
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